Geospatial tools measure solar radiation

Spain: Researchers at the University of Almeria and the Centre for Energy, Environment and Technology (CIEMAT), the Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain, have validated a system for evaluating potential solar radiation through satellite images with a resolution of approximately three kilometres, and a digital terrain model, developed by the Board, with a resolution of 20 meters.

According to researcher Juan Luis Bosch, the work titled, “Solar resources estimation combining digital terrain models and satellite images techniques,” highlights the possibility of offering solutions for implementing isolated applications in places where there is no electricity or for crop improvement.

Bosch said, “In order to make use of any renewable energy, one of the most important steps is to make an accurate estimation of the resource.”